Russia 1827-SP NG 25 kopeks
The first specimen was lot 25353 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $12,925. The catalog description[1] noted, "Nicholas I 25 Kopeks 1827 CПБ-HГ, Crowned double-headed Imperial eagle, with date below / Crowned value in wreath, Proof 65 NGC. Light golden toning with a superb strike and deeply mirrored fields. This type is conditionally rare in Mint State, and Proof examples are exceedingly rare with few pieces known of any date." The second specimen was lot 442 in Sincona sale 78 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$420 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted, "RUSSIA | Russian Empire and Federation | Nicholas I. 1825-1855, 25 Kopecks 1827, St. Petersburg Mint, SPB NG. Good very fine." This type was struck 1827-31 at St. Petersburg. Mintages are fairly substantial but this type is likely underpriced. The first specimen sold for sixteen times the catalog value. The superseding type (KM C166) had a "wings up" eagle. The incumbent mintmaster was Nikolai Grachev, whose initials we have transliterated as "NG".
Recorded mintage: 1,860,000.
Specification: 5.18 g, 0.868 fine silver. The second specimen is 5.02 g.
Catalog reference: Bitkin 124, KM C159.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Bitkin, Vladimir, Composite Catalogue of Russian Coins, Part II (1740-1917), Kiev: Moneta, 2003.
- Harris, Robert P., Guidebook of Russian Coins, 1725 to 1970, Santa Cruz, CA: Bonanza Press, 1971.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 78, Russian Coins and Medals, The Grigoriy Stakhorsky Collection, Part 1 and other Properties, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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